Minim House, via Boneyard Studios (click to expand).
Princeton resident Anne Neumann wrote an article in the “Princeton Packet” last week singing the praises of ‘Tiny Houses’. Long-time ‘Walkable Prineton’ readers will remember that we have written about micro-apartments and the Tiny House movement several times in the past, and it’s great to see the concept get more exposure. But are Tiny Houses a realistic solution to urban housing problems, like those faced in Princeton? Continue reading
Despite its outstanding reputation, students are regularly turning down offers to study at Princeton U. in order to go to other schools. (click to expand.)
Princeton University has a #1 university rating from US News, a beautiful walkable campus, and offers amazing financial support to its students. But given the choice, students are choosing to attend Harvard, Yale, Stanford or even the University of Chicago instead. Why are students turning down Princeton U?
The multi-use trail on Quaker Road in Princeton was recently substantially extended (click to expand)
As part of a recent resurfacing project on Quaker Road in Princeton, a gravel trail for pedestrians and cyclists has been significantly extended, linking the D&R canal trail to trails in the Institute Woods. The new path is a substantial amenity for people who want to explore this beautiful corner of Princeton on foot. But some questions remain about how useful the trail will be for cyclists and people in wheelchairs. Continue reading
Screenshot of the new AvalonBay ‘Avalon Princeton’ website, which has just launched. (via http://www.avalonprinceton.com)
Housing developer AvalonBay, having recently signed off on a contentious developer’s agreement with the town of Princeton, has launched a new website to inform local residents about the apartment construction project. Continue reading
The old and the new: with construction moving along, the distance between the new and old Princeton Dinky train stations can be seen in real life. (click to expand)
As construction continues on Princeton University’s new addition on Alexander Street, local residents can now see for themselves how far apart the new Princeton rail station will be from the old station at University Place. The relocation of the ‘Dinky’ station has been controversial in the town, in part because moving the station further away from downtown will mean a longer walk for people accessing the station by foot or bicycle. On the other hand, supporters of the project have argued that the extra distance is not particularly burdensome.
Another old home in Princeton’s Mt Lucas Drive gets demolished for new-build construction, summer of 2014. (click to expand.)
Princeton’s ‘Town Topics’ newspaper is running a great series about housing in Princeton, which this week focused on Mount Lucas Drive, at the northern end of the former Township. Here, many old houses from the 1950s – 1960s are being demolished and replaced with larger, new-build homes that usually sell for a greatly-increased price. This is a trend which is seen all over town. The ‘Topics’ report featured a local resident- a self-described ‘diehard conservative’- who cheerfully endorsed the changes in the neighborhood, based on his strong belief in property rights. But replacing old homes with ‘McMansions’ is rarely an expression of conservative values. It is instead a result of government interference in its most blatant form.
Riders inspect a mural of Mahatma Ghandi during the Trenton Social Ride. ‘Ghandi Garden’ is a project of the S.A.G.E. coalition, who are planning a mural at Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center. (click to expand).
Princeton’s Paul Robeson Art Center, at Witherspoon and Paul Robeson Place, is planning a new art installation. This piece will be on the building itself- Princeton Arts Council have commissioned the S.A.G.E. Coalition, an arts collective based out of Trenton, to provide the work. Continue reading
’30 Burgers’, which opened last week at Nassau Street in downtown Princeton. (click to expand.)
A new gourmet burger joint has opened in Princeton. ’30 Burgers’ has arrived, bringing a wealth of burger choices to the space next to Labyrinth Books at 124-128 Nassau Street. Continue reading
The Dinky train at Princeton Junction station. (click to expand.)
A judge has upheld local zoning that allows Princeton University to build an arts extension on the former Dinky right-of-way. The zoning had been challenged by local residents, with a view to halting construction of the University project. The judge’s ruling is the latest in a string of setbacks for opponents of the Dinky relocation. Just three weeks ago, a federal board refused to intervene in the shortening of the Princeton branch line, in what was seen at the time as a mini-victory for the University.
The Pennytown-Kooltronic site in Hopewell Township, a likely site for hundreds of new homes. (click to expand, via hopwelltwp.org)
New Jersey’s Council On Affordable Housing recently released updated figures for how many income-restricted homes should be provided in every municipality in the Garden State. Princeton was told that it didn’t need to build any new income-restricted housing, even though there are 2,000 people on the waiting list there. Meanwhile, Hopewell Township, a semi-rural area that borders Princeton to the west, was told to build up to 1,500 new homes. That is likely to represent a huge difference in a community which currently has just 17,000 residents. Hundreds of new homes will have to be built in the township, which is one of the last remaining areas in Central Jersey with large amounts of green space. Is this what we want? Continue reading
